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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

From “CLIMATE ACTION 2009” for the UN Conference in Copenhagen

In this talk, Hermann Scheer debunks the myth of renewables being too expensive and explains why we must keep developing clean tech, describing how each affected industry can make the most of the new opportunities.

When talking about renewable energies, there always follows – like a Pavlovian reflex – the question of costs. The basic assumption still predominates that renewables are not affordable; that they cost too much in comparison with conventional energies. In other words, there is a negative economic myth about renewable energy. This assumption acts as a permanent excuse not to adopt a grand strategy to actively deploy renewable energy. It is argued that the time for renewables has not yet come. Investments in the field of renewable energy are considered an economic burden that no one is willing to shoulder. Those arguments are short-sighted, superficial and highly misleading.

They are short-sighted because they ignore the fundamentally different economic prospects of conventional energies on the one hand and renewables on the other. It is obvious that conventional energies will become more and more expensive over time, whereas the costs for renewables steadily decrease.

The negative myth of high costs that accompany the use of renewables is superficial and misleading because it does not differentiate between micro- and macroeconomic assumptions – that is between expenses for a single investor on the one hand and for the whole national economy on the other. However, this distinction is crucial for the question of whether governments stick to conventional energies or decide to orient their activities towards renewable energies. (more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

It looks like the debate on fuel economy for plug-in hybrids rages on unabated. General Motors just announced that its Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid car will carry a better efficiency rating that the Toyota Prius (long been recognized as the industry leader in the category). The fact that this is like comparing apples with trombones doesn’t seem to be of any major concern to GM, the EPA, or anyone else. (more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

It’s bad enough that the country I love fails to take the lead in developing alternative energy solutions and declines to play a principal role in establishing a new economy based on clean energy. But, as we saw in Kyoto in the 1997, the presence of the US in the world of dealing with global climate change is often viewed more as a hindrance than a help.

Here’s Renewable Energy World’s coverage of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, in which non-profit Carbonfund urges the US – especially in light of the midterm elections — to stay home so that progress can be made, unobstructed by the overwhelming force of our business interests.  That’s sad.

 

　

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

If you are looking for something totally new to get as a gift for Christmas then you need to look no further. As a matter of fact, this is one of those gifts that is for the man or woman who already has everything. What I am speaking of, is an electric bicycle or at least, an electric bike conversion kit. This is the gift that keeps on giving because with the rising cost of gas prices expected across the country, an electric bicycle can save somebody all kinds of money while providing them with the opportunity to get some fresh air and some exercise. (more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

As I prepare for what I hope to be a huge spate of radio and television interviews on my book, I keep in mind that there is little I can do from my end to control the questioning and thus the theme that ultimately emerges. In fact, the last interview I did was entirely on electric transportation; we talked about lithium-ion battery chemistries and charging strategies for half an hour, without even touching on the notion of the ultimate source of the power.

Having said that, it’s important for me to know where I’d like to take the discussion if I get the chance. Here’s a central theme that summarizes my thinking on renewables at this point:

Renewable energy is the bargain of the century.

Of course, it depends on who’s doing the accounting, and how he’s doing it. (more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

One last toast to Thanksgiving, if I may. 

Here’s a short story by Leo Tolstoy that seems to get at the spirit of the occasion by addressing the question: What are the gifts for which we should be thankful?

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday, is a time to appreciate our abundant gifts: the love of family and friends, and the opportunity to make the world a better place in which to live. 

I want to express my profound gratitude to all of you who have helped build 2GreenEnergy into this meeting ground for people of good will.  Thank you.

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

The global solar world is mourning the October 14th death of Hermann Scheer.  Known as the grandfather of solar, Scheer was not only a pioneer but an active advocate of solar and renewable energy as well as a great thinker and man of action. He was instrumental in introducing Renewable Energy Law (including feed-in tariffs) to Germany, and carrying German to a dominant solar position in the world. His initial actions were unheard of – a mass installation of more than 100,000 panels.

Scheer was a member of the German Parliament, President of the European Association for Renewable Energy EUROSOLAR, Chair of the World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and author (including “Energy Autonomy: the economic, social and technological cases for Renewable Energy” and seminal works “A Solar Manifesto” and “The Solar Economy.”) Days before his death, he published “Der energethische Imperativ.” The very applicable words of Mahatma Gandi appear in the introduction:  “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

TIME Magazine called him “Hero for the Green Century”, and Scheer was awarded the Alternative Nobel Prize in 1999. He was also the first winner of the ‘World Photovoltaic Prize’ by the World PV Community.  He described himself often as a “possibilist”.

There have been many obituaries and tributes written about Hermann, including Craig Shield’s own post on the 2Greenenergy blog.   There is nothing more powerful than hearing some of his words from interviews over the years. I have therefore included a selection here, including from one of his last interviews:

“Guardian” (April 16, 2008). Interview with Kate Connelly

On the aesthetics of windmills, an oft-cited cry in certain U.S. communities “not in my backyard” thinking: “… don’t give me the arguments against the aesthetics of windmills. They’re not there to be liked – it’s enough to accept that they’re necessary, because we need 100% emission-free energies. Who, after all, likes power lines? But they’re accepted. Here we’re dealing with an existential problem.” 

(more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

I’ve been fascinated recently with the subject of the macroeconomics that surrounds renewables, and, in particular, the subsidies that keep fossil fuels in place by holding the price of oil down artificially. In response to this discussion, frequent commentor Dr. Bob Goldschmidt writes:

The biggest subsidy of all is the $500+ billion a year of military costs used to secure the world’s imported oil supply. This does not appear at the pump and is paid for by the American taxpayers. If, because we have not made a timely effort to reduce oil consumption, Iran has enough income to go nuclear, how much will that cost?

I’m about to conduct a series of radio and TV interviews to promote my book, and I intend to make this the overall theme of the tour, i.e., clean energy is the bargain of the century. We don’t have to look too far to see the incredible costs of our current energy policy (or lack thereof). 

The optimist in me thinks it’s only a matter of time until enough people see through this, realize the outrageous fiscal and moral costs of our nation’s refusal to take a leadership role in energy, and insist that we change our course here.

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Another report from the Los Angeles Auto Show: the car companies continue to impress me with their wisdom.  Here’s a minor example: their presence at shows like this is almost exclusively made by young, attractive people.

Who’s talking up the 2011 Buick? A portly 65-year-old Viagra customer (that may typify the actual Buick buyer)? Hell no. It’s an energetic 28-year-old kid with fantastic biceps, an engaging smile, and a $75 haircut.  It’s image, my friend, and no one knows more about creating and maintaining that than the carmakers.

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